Abstracts Biological Sciences

Clinical and health status of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus : the impact of disease activity, damage and other clinical measures

by Chenchen Wang

The prognosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has improved markedly over recent decades, however, little research has focused on the improvement of SLE patient's quality of life. The main objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between disease activity, cumulative damage and self-reported quality of life in 54 patients with SLE. Disease activity was measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM-2) and cumulative damage by the Systemic Lupus International Cooperating Clinics/ACR damage index (DI). Quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Euroqol (EQ-5D) self-report questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to identify significant predictors of patients' self reported health status. Cumulative damage was found to be associated with physical function, physical health and social functioning (SF-36); disease activity was found to have a significant association with general health (SF-36) and a weaker association on overall health status as evaluated through the 'thermometer' rating scale of the EQ-5D. Patients' ratings of ability with usual activities was strongly related to overall physical health (SF-36) as well as the physical functioning and general health subscales of the SF-36. In addition, patients' ratings of anxiety and depression were strongly related to overall mental health status (SF-36). In conclusion, physical health of SLE patients was associated with disease activity, disease damage, capacity for usual activity, and mobility.